Continuing the Ballet Russe legacy! The World's Leading Ballet Information Blog. Original Members from the Ballet Russe along with current dancers from Media City Ballet of Los Angeles share advice and points of view on the danceworld then and now.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Dancers Backstage

On December 6th & 7th of 2008, Media City Ballet of Los Angeles presented a spectacular and very entertaining Nutcracker. With a nearly sold out season, MCB continues to WOW the audience.

Each dancer has their own routine before performing. Some immediately start warming up, while others calmly set up their costumes and head pieces. Some do their make-up and some will pace the halls to calm their nervous...or shall I say - EXCITEMENT.

I saw all kinds of "routines". Enthusiastic dancers taking pictures left and right for their blogs or myspace, while another girl sat in the corner massaging icy-hot on her tendons. Jet glue was applied to pointe shoes, rozin was laid out, leg warmers were piled on as the minutes ticked away before curtain.

I asked the dancers what they do or feel right before performing and they replied,
"I breath" - Melissa McComas
"I visualize what I do on stage before I go on" - Emily Morrow
"I feel nervous, but then once I'm on the floor - I feel like I'm HOME" - Raquel Cordova
"Nervous and Excited" -Andee Tims
"Have a little bit of PLAYTIME" - Selkie Hom
"I don't want to disappoint myself or my family and friend that come to watch me". - Carrie Lee Riggins

Enjoy MCB's footage our Dancers Backstage

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Performance Gitters

"There is such a difference when you're dancing to music you really love, when there is this meeting of music and dancer that fuses into one. Those are the experiences we live for." Alicia Alonso

MCB will be rehearsing at the Alex Theatre in Glendale tomorrow! Stay tuned for footage of what dancers feel right before a performance, how they warm up and much more.

What do I feel before performing? Nerves that make my teeth chatter. My hands sweat and feel cold and my heart beats so fast, it makes my body vibrate. I hear the music but the nerves continue. I take a deep breath, stand up straight, stick in my stomach and run on stage (with pointed feet of course)...the nerves are gone - I'm home - I feel....peace.


About Us

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Natasha Middleton with Associate Director, Ruben Tonoyan, directs Media City Ballet of Los Angeles. MCB of LA is the only ballet company in Los Angeles presenting performances in the tradition and philosophy of the legendary Ballet Russe de Serge Diaghilev. Visit us at http://www.mediacityballet.org